Machine for punching drafts and checks



(No Model.) I v 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

J. 'M. HOPKINS.

MACHINE FOR PUNGHING DRAFTS AND UHEGKS.

No. 340,214. Patented Apr. 20, 1886.

WITNESSES gwggro I I 72 I I ATTORNEY.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

J. M. HOPKINS. MAGHINE FOR PUNGHING DRAFTS AND CHECKS. No. 340,214. Patented Apr. 20, 1886.

WITNESSES: INYENTOR.

W Maw-W ATTORNEY.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets$heet 3.

J. M. HOPKINS. MACHINE FOR PUNGHING DRAFTS AND GHEGKS.

No. 340,214. Patented Apr. 20, 1886.

UNIT En STATES "PATENT hrice.

JAMES M. HOPKINS, OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.

MACHINE FOR PUNCHING DRAFTS AND CHECKS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 340,214, dated April 20, 1886.

Application filed January 12, 1885. Serial No. 152,652. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES M. HOPKINS, of Louisville,in the county of Jefferson and State of Kentucky, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Punching Drafts and Checks; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains tomake and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in machines for punching drafts and checks; and

it consists, first, in the combination of the jointed levers for operating the endwise-sliding punches, and suitable springs connected thereto for drawing both the levers and punches back into position as soon as released; second, in the combination of the jointed opcrating-levers, the bar for depressing the endwise-moving punches after they have been moved into position, and a mechanism for moving the draft or check so that it will be .in position for the next punch that is brought into use; third, in the arrangement and combination of parts, which will be more fully described hereinafter.

Figure l is a plan view of a machine embodying my invention, the cover being removed. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section of the same, taken just above the punches, one of them being shown as forced forward ready for operation. Fig. 3 is a detail view of one of the punches and its operating mechanism. Fig. 4. is a front view of the machine complete. Fig. 5 is a vertical cross-section of the machine.

Arepresents a suitable base, and B a cover, which is placed over all of the works for the purpose of protecting them from injury and dust. Above this base is the plate 0, which forms the support for the operating-levers D and the spring-actuated rods E, connected thereto. There are any desired number of these levers D, which are jointed at a, and provided at their outer ends with suitable knobs or handles, upon which are marked the figures, letters, or other designs used upon the punches.

The inner slotted end of each rod E is connected to a pivoted cylinder or barrel, F,in

As shown, there is a lever, a barrel and spring, a slotted rod, a pin or stud, and a slot in the plate C for every figure or character used in connection with the punches.

Each punch is provided with asuitable metallic frame, J, either of the form here shown or any other that may be preferred,and which is forced forward by the slotted arm and stud when thelever D is drawn outward,and which is quickly withdrawn by the spring as soon as the lever is released. All the frames J point toward a common center or focus, and when moved forward into position for use each one occupies about the same position that was occupied by the one that preceded it.

The front end of each frame J is bifurcated, and in each upper prong is placed a suitable punch, d, which is held in a raised position by means of a spring, e,over a suitably-shaped opening in the lower prong. The ends of the frames are made bifurcated, as shown, so that the two prongs will come upon opposite sides of the perforated plate or frame 2', which supports the check or draft while being punched. After each lever D is drawn outward for the purpose of moving its punch into position to be operated, the outer end of the lever is bent downward for the purpose of depressing the pivoted spring-actuated bar or rod L, which has the projection 0 formed on its under edge, just over that point where the punches are moved when ready for operation.

When any of the levers D are depressed, the bar L is forced downward, so as to cause the projection e to depress the punch, which is just under it. When the punch is depressed, it is forced through the check or draft held in position under it. As soon as the lever is released the spring y under the bar causes it to at once return to position. Pivoted upon a suitable support in the rear of this bar is a short lever, g, the front end of which extends through an eyeor loop, it, formed on or secured to the bar, and to the rear end of this lever is fastened a rod, 1', which is forced downward as the bar rises back into place, for the purpose of operating the feeding mechanism, and thus moving the paper along so as to bring it in position for the next punch. v

The feeding mechanism consists of the four wheels 0, which mesh together, two of them being provided with rubber surfaces n, which project up through the support upon which the paper is placed and just far enough to catch hold of the paper and move it along. Suitable friction-brakes, 00, are applied to different parts of this mechanism, so as to cause the parts to move steadily and to prevent any back motion.

As shown, the levers E extend straight across the machine and are parallel with each other, while the sliding punches are arranged in less than a half-circle. Were the punches arranged in a full halfcircle, the extreme end ones would require different devices for moving them.

Having thus described my invention, 1 claim 1. The combination of a series of endwisemoving punch-frames arranged in less than a half-circle, arms or rods for connecting the springs and punch-frames, rods fol-moving the punch-frames into position, levers connected to the rods for operating the punches, and springs for drawing the punch-frames, rods, and levers back into position when left free to move, substantially as shown.

2. The combination of the endwise-moving rods, operating-levers for the punches, pivoted to the rods, springs connected to the rods, punch-frames also connected to the springs,

and having an endwise sliding movement, and a bar for depressing the punches, substantially as described.

3. The combination of the levers for operating the punches, the pivoted and springseated bar L, having a projection for operating the punches, and a lever, g, which is operated by the bar, rod 6, pawl and ratchet, and wheels for moving the check or draft, substantially as set forth.

.4. A series of sliding punch-frames, each one provided with a punch and die and arranged in less than a half-circle, and adapted to be moved forward, one at a time, to a common center, in combination with a spring for each frame, operating-rods, and connections, substantially as described, between the punchframes and springs and springs and rods, sub- 7 center, in combination with the springs, operating-rods, a lever for operating the punches, and connections. substantially as described, between the punch-frames and springs and springs and rods, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES M. HOPKINS.

Witnesses:

S. B. CHURCHILL, W. S. CHURCHILL. 

